PET OWNERS TURN TO SPECIALTY BAKERIES IN WAKE OF RECALL.

Byline: Zoe Alexander

Correspondent

Not long ago, the idea of buying fresh-baked kibble still warm from the bakery oven likely sounded ridiculous to local pet owners.

But in the wake of dozens of pet deaths blamed on tainted food around the country, owners are lining up for gourmet, all-natural dog food whipped up daily at canine caterers, including Three Dog Bakery in Sherman Oaks.

"I'm worried sick," said Bailey Brown, 27, a celebrity personal assistant who lives in Studio City.

Brown has a German shepard named Noo-Noo and started shopping at dog bakeries after the pet-food recall began last month.

"I am deathly afraid of buying dog food that is mass-produced. I would be crushed if anything happened to my dog."

The oven at Three Dog Bakery has been working overtime since the recall began.

"Sales have spiked over 50percent," said Kate Kagan, Three Dog's manager in Sherman Oaks. "Customers are very suspicious of any large-brand manufactured dog food."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration began an investigation into tainted pet food after Menu Foods recalled about 60 million cans of its wet pet foods in early March. The recall has since expanded to nearly 100 brands.

Government officials said the problem appears to be contaminated wheat gluten imported from China. But in a troubling twist, the lethal chemical traced to the wheat gluten has been found in other pet foods that don't contain wheat gluten, raising suspicion that the chemical is being added intentionally to bolster a food's apparent protein content.

The latest news has pet owners feeling more vulnerable than ever and is pushing them to try all sorts of alternatives.

Some are rushing out to buy the hottest dog cookbooks, and others are buying "beagle bagels" at Three Dog's.

Beyond bagels and fresh-baked kibble, tasty treats including "pizzas," "cannolis" and "peanut butter cups" come out of Three Dog Bakery's on-premises oven several times a day.

Human-grade ingredients

Upon closer inspection, what looks like chocolate on those peanut butter cups is really carob, and what looks like whipped cream on that cannoli is yogurt. The cheese on the pizza? It's real Parmesan cheese.

"Our Bakery Blend dog food is made with white meat chicken, no animal by-products," Kagan said. "And the ingredients are human grade, which means it's good enough for human consumption."

Like any great hot spot, Three Dog Bakery has a long list of regulars who come for the food and stay for the social scene.

"The dog community is full of compassionate and caring people," Brown said. "Many of us feel like we are all in this recall together. The local dog bakery is a place where I can talk to other concerned dog owners and get the latest information while picking up good food for my dog."

High-profile clientele

Local celebrities are also going to animal bakeries. Pamela Anderson, Joaquin Phoenix and Hugh Hefner's girlfriends -- Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkerson and Bridget Marquadt from E! Channel's "The Girls Next Door" -- are all big fans of Three Dog Bakery.

Britney Spears shops at Pets of Bel-Air, where fresh-baked treats are delivered daily from Kool Dog Kafe.

These oven-baked goods look good enough for two-legged consumers, but are they really suitable for human consumption?

"Yes," said Jen Hattem, who works at Pets of Bel-Air. "People can eat them. I've tasted them. The cupcakes and peanut butter cookies taste like the diabetic version of a human cupcake and peanut butter cookie because there is no sugar in them."

Now you just have to teach Fido how to use oven mitts so he can cook for himself.

THREE DOG BAKERY

14545 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, [phone].

The Grove, 6333 W. Third St., Suite710, Los Angeles, [phone].

24 Smith Alley, Old Pasadena, [phone].

PETS OF BEL-AIR

2924 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air, [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 3 -- color) Kate Kagan, left, store manager and dog pastry chef at the Three Dog Bakery in Sherman Oaks, restocks the trays of fresh-baked dog cookies in the display case and dips a "dino bone" dog treat in a tray of carob. Carob is a dog-friendly substitute for chocolate used on many of the treats available at the store, which has experienced an increase in business in the wake of the recent pet-food recall scare.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer